Heart Touchers

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{Straight From the Heart} *Hungry* 11/21/00
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I appreciate any feedback or constructive criticism, so feel free to write me (Michael T. Powers) and let me know what you think!

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Straight From the Heart
http://www.storiesfrommyheart.com
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Just wanted to remind everyone about our challenge for all of you! Do you have a hero in your life? I want you to take a few moments and write about him or her. Yes, that means you have to stretch your fingers out and do some typing or better yet, make it a handwritten note. When you are done, send it to your hero. That simple act will not only make that person's day, but it will be your way of thanking them for all they do in your life. If you want to share the hero letter with us, send it to:

thunder27@aol.com

We may share it on the list!

We did this last year and some amazing things happened! Check out our website:
Straight From the Heart
http://www.storiesfrommyheart.com

Click on the Heroes Button on the left hand side to see the amazing stories!
To start the ball rolling I shared the letter I sent to my hero and mentor Bill Greer on our website. (Includes a photo of us!)

You may never know how much that simple act of writing a heartfelt letter will mean to that special someone in your life. Read the first hero letter response at the Heroes page and you will be touched and challenged. I guarantee it!
Have a great week and take some time to write to that special someone who has made a difference in your life!
Michael
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Hungry

By Donna K. Patch

I've never been homeless but even so, I am drawn to them. I am aware
that this could be myself or a loved one..."there but for the grace of
God, go I."

As I walked my energetic mini-schnauzer in the early morning light this
September morn, a homeless young man was walking on the opposite side of
the street, picking through the trash barrels. He was scruffy and
dejected looking, as he slowly pushed his shopping cart along, looking
for treasures. On the bottom level of the cart, a wagging black and
white tail peeked through a dirty dark green towel which looked like a
makeshift sunscreen for the dog. The temperatures are still in the high
90's and low 100's this time of year in Phoenix and I immediately
realized this man cared for his companion's welfare. Maybe it was his
only loyal companion on the uncertain road he traveled...

A young teen age boy was making his way to the designated bus stop
further down the street. As he passed by the homeless man, he turned
his head away, ignoring the dirty man's presence. I was just close
enough to catch his mumble, "Sure, pretend you don't see me." My heart
was torn. I made sure I smiled and looked directly at him, as a person
of value, and wished him a good morning as I passed by on the opposite
side of the street. I thought of crossing over but wasn't sure how two
strange dogs would react to one another.

As I finished my return route home, my pace quickened. I had decided I
would put a lunch sack together for this man, and I had dog food at home
I could share, too.

At the rate he was walking, he wouldn't go far and I'd soon catch up to
him by driving back to the spot I last saw him. He'd be in the vicinity.
I hummed as I put a peanut butter and jam sandwich together, a cooked
chicken breast leftover from last night's supper, a crisp sour green
apple, and bottled water in a sack and lots of paper towels. I forgot
the dog food; I was so eager to get back to him...

I grabbed my Jeep key's and drove around the corner, then around the
neighborhood, then around the block and then in an every widening radius
of the surrounding area. He was gone! It was as if he had disappeared
in a puff of smoke or burrowed underground.

My high spirits deflated, forlornly I returned home with my sack of food.
What I had to share...I couldn't! Thinking back, I realize I should've asked him to stay put and tell him I would bring him food, but I didn't want false pride to get in the way and have him say no. If it was there in front of him, I could just hand it
to him. I could have invited him home, but I was a woman home alone this
particular morning and didn't feel totally comfortable doing that. I
could see the headlines, "Housewife, foolishly brings homeless man home
and is...brutally murdered." I didn't want that to be the only greeting
as my husband returned home from a trip back east. He often says he
can't understand how I can talk so easily to strangers, and I should be
more aware, and less naive of what's going on around me, blah, blah,
blah. So I took the practical, safe course of action and let my head
overrule my heart.

I should have obeyed the Lord's prompting and trusted my first instinct.
He gave me this wonderful opportunity and I blew it! Not only would
this shabby stranger be fed, but myself as well if I had listened to my
heart's urging!

I, too went hungry that day and am the poorer for it. This lesson shall
not be in vain.

Next time, and I know there will be one, I will follow my heart and act
impulsively. It's the way God created me and how I operate...foolish or
not, I need to be true to the real "me." I pray that when the next
opportunity arises, I will joyously and spontaneously give from the heart.

Donna K. Patch
patchtoo@juno.com

Please Email Donna and let her know what you thought of this story!

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Donna lives in sunny Arizona, happily transplanted 3 years now, from the
cloudy, damp NorthEast. She is happily married to a wonderful man and is
celebrates 32 years of marriage October 1st! Multiple chemical
sensitivities (Environmental Illness) keeps her home more than she'd like
to be. She loves to write, photograph the great outdoors and is inspired
by many kinds of music. Tai Chi and walking help to keep her balanced,
emotionally and physically.

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Thought For The Day:

"Hope arouses, as nothing else can arouse, a passion for the possible."

Verse for the Day:

"Praise be to God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In His great mercy He has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead."
1 Peter 1:3

Kid's Thought For The Day:

"If it tastes really, really good, it probably isn't good for you."

Parent's Thought For The Day

"At the end of your life, you will never regret not having passed one more test, not winning one more verdict, or not closing one more deal. You will regret time not spent with a husband, a friend, a child, or a parent."
Barbara Bush, Former U.S. First Lady."

Coach's Thought For The Day

"To succeed...You need to find something to hold on to, something to motivate you, something to inspire you."
Tony Dorsett

Deep Thought For The Day:

The only stupid question is the one that is never asked, except maybe
"Don't you think it is about time you audited my return?" or
"Isn't it morally wrong to give me a warning when, in fact, I was
speeding?"

_
/_/\/\ MICHAEL T. POWERS
\_\ / THUNDER27@aol.com
/_/ \ "For I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but
\_\/\ \ Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body I live for the Son
\_\/ of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me." Galatians 2:20

Video Imagery (Michael's Video Production Business.)

"I thought of you first after my family sat down to watch the video we gave them. They loved it, to say the least! Within thirty seconds my mom was crying and my dad did too. They said it was the best Christmas gift we could have given them!! You did such a beautiful job! They were so surprised and so touched---they really, really, really loved it. Thanks for helping to make it so special to us all. My mom mentioned how the songs were perfect for the video too! Thanks again!"

Kelli (RKaGe@aol.com) College Station, TX

Let me make you a video from your pictures or home movies!
Check out the web page for Michael's video production business!
Video Imagery
http://members.aol.com/Videoimg/index.html

Do you feel as if life has no meaning for you?
The Four Spiritual Laws
http://www.ccci.org/laws/index.html

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Writer's Guidelines
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